Ginger plant named ‘McghieVCG’

ABSTRACT

A new plant variety of the Zingerberacae family resulting from a discovery of a mutant attached to a stool (mat) of ‘McghieJCG’ (Alpinia officinarum) in a cultivated field and subsequently asexually reproduced from stem cuttings. The most distinguishing characteristics of this new variety is the pattern-gene fishbone leaf variegation and the pungent cinnamon fragrance and flavor of its leaves (tea). The new variety has valuable commercial potential and excellent post harvest prospects.

Botanical denomination: Alpinia officinarum.

Variety designation: ‘McghieVCG’.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of theZingerberacae family. The new variety is named ‘McghieVCG’, (trade nameMcghie Variegated Cinnamon Ginger). The new variety originated as adiscovery of dominant yellow-green variegated leaves growing from a‘McghieJCG’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,408) plant in a cultivated field(open sun), situated in the suburb of the town of Bog Walk in the parishof St. Catherine, Jamaica W.I.

‘McghieVCG’ is most similar to its parent (mother) plant ‘McghieJCG’.The new variety develops into a fairly large mat with well-definedpseudo-stems bearing medium to large lanceolate leaves with prominentchlorophyll pattern-gene fishbone variegation. In contrast, ‘McghieJCG’has little to no pattern-gene variegation of its leaves and distinctelliptic shape especially in later leaves.

The first observation of the ‘McghieVCG’ plant was in July 2019.

‘McghieVCG’ was asexually reproduced in Bog Walk by means of stemcuttings and subsequently reproduced over three (3) generations of newplants. The distinguishing characteristics of ‘McghieVCG’ have beenretained through successive generations.

Growth was observed at eighteen (18) months and the plants exhibitedconsistent stable, healthy and vigorous growth characteristics with itsroots, stems and leaves (entire plant) appearing to be disease free/pestresistant for the entire period of growth.

‘McghieVCG’ was asexually reproduced under different natural conditions;including partial cover, full cover, and full sunlight employing similarcultivation practices as per the mother plant (‘McghieJCG’); i.e.fertile, moist, and well drained soils employing the use of organicmanure and moderate watering. ‘McghieVCG’ plants were also cultivated inpots under full and partial cover in the open field. It was observedthat the best growth occurred in plants grown in the open field withpartial cover or full cover.

It was also observed that like the mother plant, ‘McghieJCG’, the leavesof the new variety had a pungent cinnamon-like scent.

There are also significant physical differences between the leaves ofthe new plant and its mother parent. For example, ‘McghieVCG’ hasmoderate olive-green leaves with distinct strong yellow variegation. Incontrast, ‘McghieVCG’ has greyish olive-green leaves with little to novariegation (Table 2).

As a horticultural plant, ‘McghieVCG’ exhibits adaptability as a naturalindoor and outdoor plant and also because of its versatile growthpatterns when grown under different environmental conditions, in pots oropen fields. Other characteristics of ‘McghieVCG’, such as itshardiness, attractiveness and general canopy, demonstrates it as asuitable plant for commercial production for the horticultural industry.

The absence of any traces of diseases/insects/and pests at this stage ofits growth if maintained will also recommend it as an importantagricultural plant in various crop protection programs such as barriercrops, inter-cropping, multi-cropping and landscaping.

‘McghieVCG’ can be grown as an herb/spice in home gardens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs showing the newplant variety form at eighteen (18) months along with, the mature plantsin a commercial cultivated nursery in Bog Walk, depicting fields ofasexually produced new plants of ‘McghieVCG’. Other pictures showprominent leaf variegation of the new plant variety.

FIGS. 1-3 show a perspective view of a potted plant of the new plantvariety ‘McghieVCG’ illustrating the overall form and appearance of theplant at eighteen (18) months.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of leaf variegation of a potted plant ofthe new plant variety ‘McghieVCG’ grown at eighteen (18) months.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of prominent leaf variegation of matureleaves of the new plant variety ‘McghieVCG’ grown in open field in acommercial nursery.

FIG. 6 shows a scanned image of the lanceolate pattern-gene foliarvariegation of leaf from a potted plant at eighteen (18) months of thenew plant variety ‘McghieVCG’.

FIG. 7 shows an asexually reproduced plant of ‘McghieVCG’ growing in anopen field in a commercial nursery.

FIG. 8 shows a side-by-side comparison of pattern gene foliarvariegation of a leaf from a potted ‘McghieJCG’ (left) and ‘McghieVCG’(right) plant at eighteen (18) months.

FIG. 9 shows a side-by-side perspective view of ‘McghieVCG’ (left) and‘McghieJCG’ (right) showing difference in foliar color and variegation.

FIG. 10 shows a transverse section of ‘McghieVCG’ at 40× magnificationin distilled water (left) and iodine (right) showing bundle sheath ofleaf with pinnate venation.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of ‘McghieVCG’ based on plantsobserved after eighteen (18) months growth in the open field underpartial cover. The new variety has been observed under direct andpartial sun environmental conditions. Color designation and other valuesstated may deviate slightly from stated values due to seasonal changesbut the deviations will be within the range expected from varyingenvironmental conditions. Color designations were referenced employingThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 6^(th) Edition 2015.

‘McghieVCG’ can be described as an evergreen at this stage of its growthwith prominent foliar pattern-gene (natural) fishbone variegations in inshades of green and yellow-green. This color varies according to lightintensity and maturity of leaves. The color/shade of the leaves whengrown in partial lighting or direct lighting is moderate olive-green137A with strong yellow-Green 144A, 144B and 145A variegation. Thecolor/shade of stem in partial or direct lighting condition is strongyellow-green 143C.

A stem cutting from the rhizome of the mother plant ‘McghieJCG’ with themutant ‘McghieVCG’ attached was transplanted to a pot containing aspecial organic potting mixture of sandy loam soil and compost mix andplaced under partial cover and grown for two months employing moderatewatering. Stem cuttings from a resulting batch of six plants wereobtained and transplanted to a specially prepared bed in the open fieldusing a similar plant medium. The procedure was repeated at four monthsfrom a new batch of 42 plants. Some plants were also transplanted inspecially prepared pots with a similar plant medium and placed underpartial and full cover in the open field. This procedure continued atsix and eight month intervals with some plants transplanted in beds withno cover. The plants were observed to grow more vigorously in the openfield under partial cover especially during periods of sustainedrainfall. Average growth gain observed every two months over the eightmonth period was eight new plants.

-   Origin: Stem cutting (rhizome division) performed on a plant    obtained from Bogwalk, St. Catherine Jamaica.-   Parentage: ‘McghieJCG’ (female parent).-   Family: Zingerberacae.-   Genus/species: Alpinia officinarum.-   Bouquet: Aromatic and cinnamon like.-   Flavor: Aromatic and cinnamon like.-   Commercial: Agriculture, horticulture, herb, spice, essential oils,    extracts.-   Form: Perennial herb with short highly branched rhizomes which    eventually give rise to a high density of tillers. General vertical    growth pattern of pseudo stems and shoot growth is similar to    flexibility, firmness, structure and growth rate to ‘McghieJCG’.    Shoot display heterophylly (different shapes depending on the age,    varying between lanceolate and occasional elliptic). Leaves are    distichously.-   The following describes the growth parameters of a potted    ‘McghieVCG’ plant at 18 months of age.-   Younger leaves: The first three to four leaves trend toward    lanceolate with acuminate leaf apex. Average leaf is 3.2 cm in    diameter and 8.95 cm long. Ligules are indistinct, or can be    regarded as absent.-   Later leaves: The leaves that develop after first three to four    leaves. Shape is distinctly lanceolate; leaf base is attenuate or    very slightly etiolate (grooved petiole—0.3 cm long), and ligules    are absent.-   Lamina/blade: Average length for leaf shapes is (14.1 cm).-   Leaf margin: Entire. Generally, leaf margins remain consistent at    all stages of growth.-   Leaf apex: Acuminate.-   Leaf surface: Upper and lower surface are smooth.-   Leaf midrib: Grooved and rounded.-   Leaf angle: Earlier leaves are generally oblique but as later leaves    undergo elongation to be more elliptic, the angle is reduced and    leaf tips bend and point downward.-   Leaf sheath coloration: Outer upper margins (where ligules would be)    are Dark Greyish Red N186C (Greyed-Purple Group) and leaf sheath    extens a little beyond the point of leaf attachment.-   Phyllotaxy (leaf arrangement): Alternate.-   Petiole: Not distinct as they are all tightly bundled to form the    pseudo stem (supporting structure of the plant).-   Rhizome: Cylindrical in shape and it produces an average of 5 buds    which eventually develop into mature rhizomes with their    correspondent aerial pseudo stems and leaves etc. Average length: 10    cm or 4 inches. Average width: 1.4 cm or ½ inch. Color Greyed-Yellow    Group Pale Yellow (161D) with Grey Orange Group Brownish Orange    (166C).-   Fragrance description: Fragrance of leaves may be described as a    moderate spicy fragrant blend of leaf cinnamon, ginger and lemon    (with no lingering sensation or feeling on nasal and throat mucosa).-   Leaf fragrance detection: Held closely to the nostrils without    rubbing or crushing of green excised leaves, the emanated fragrance    is detected readily from the upper surface of the leaf. When leaf is    manipulated (crushed) or cut there is a pungent cinnamon fragrance    that emanates from the leaf with traces of other fragrances. These    fragrances are more pronounced in the leaves of plants grown in    higher light intensities.-   Flowers, fruit, seeds and reproductive organs have not been observed    with the new variety.-   Venation: Leaves display pinnate patterns of venation with distinct    variegation in leaf color of Moderate Olive Green 137A with Strong    Yellow-Green 144A, 144B and 145A variegation (also see FIG. 10).-   Pubescence: Absent.-   Growth parameters of an 18 month ‘McghieVCG’ plant in the Jamaican    humid tropics is shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 ‘McghieVCG’ Growth Parameters Parameter Measurement (cm) Averageleaf length (Upper*) (13.5-14.9) 14.1 Average leaf length (Lower**)(6.7-11.4) 8.9 Average leaf width (Upper) (3.6-4.5) 4.2 Average leafwidth (Lower) (1.9-4.1) 3.2 Average leaf shoot height (37.0-38.1) 37.4Stool (mat) Diameter (Canopy to 51.6 leaf tip). *Measurement from theApex of the leaf, sheath of the third fully formed (expanded) leaf fromthe top down **Measured at the 6th leaf from the upper leaf.

-   A comparison between ‘McghieJCG’ and ‘McghieVCG’ is shown in Table    2.

TABLE 2 ‘Comparison of distinguishing characteristics for ‘McghieJCG’and ‘McghieVCG’ Characteristic ‘McghieJCG’ ‘McghieVCG’ Foliar ColorShades of Moderate olive-green 137A Grayish Olive Green (NN137) FoliarLittle to no Prominent pattern gene Variegation variegation variegationin shades of strong yellow Green 144A, 144B and 145A Foliar ShapeLanceolate Tend toward elliptic (Later Leaves)

Ecological & Environmental Conditions Relevant To Growth of ‘McghieVCG’

-   Temperature: Daytime temperature ranges from 21° C.-32° C. (70°    F.-90° F.), with lower temperatures during the cool seasons and    nights.-   Humidity: Relative humidity ranges from 85-95%.-   Rainfall: Annual rain fall averages from 2000 mn-2500 mm (80-100    inches) and is evenly distributed throughout each year. The    observation of the adequately fertilized plants may deviate in    varying degrees from the stated parameters of the potted plants at    specified periods of growth, but the deviations will be in the range    expected from the varying environmental, seasonal and collateral    conditions.-   Soil type: Sandy and clay loam.-   Habitat: The cultivated field serves as a dual purpose home garden    and commercial nursery.-   Other plants grown in the same habitat: Ginger family—Varying    herbs/spices namely, Turmeric, Curcuma, Alpinia galangal and Alpinia    officinarum. Kempheria galangal, Alpinia purpurata and miscellaneous    plants of other families e.g., young cinnamon trees, bananas,    citrus, plantains, mint, fever grass, and other agricultural    perennials.

DEFINITIONS AND NOTIONS TO THE ABOVE DESCRIPTIONS

-   Elliptic: Broadest at the middle, with length usually more than    twice the width.-   Lanceolate: Narrow and the base, tapering toward the apex.-   Accumulates: A gradually tapering to a prolonged point with two    margins pinches slightly before reaching the tip. The tip maybe    short or long and narrow or broad.-   Glabrous: No hair present; smooth and free hairs.-   Leaf measurement: This was taken pseudostems from (a). The third    fully formed leaf (from short apex) and (b) the sixth leaf from the    form.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Alpinia officinarum plant named‘MCGHIEVCG’, as herein illustrated and described.